The economy cannot afford an extension of the strict coronavirus lockdown especially since it is expected to suffer a steep decline in second quarter of the year, Malacañang said Tuesday. 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has expressed concern about the weakening of the economy, saying a longer restrictive lockdown in Metro Manila and nearby provinces might adversely affect the livelihood of the people.

Roque hinted on the government's reluctance to prolong the two-week modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) ahead of the release of the official economic figures. The economic team is expected to release the country's official economic figures this Thursday.

"Hindi na kaya ng ekonomiya ang mas matagalang lockdown. Lalabas po ngayon pigura ng second quarter GDP growth natin napakatindi ng binaba ng ating ekonomiya (The economy cannot afford a longer lockdown. The second quarter GDP growth will be released showing a severe drop of our economy)," Roque said during a televised briefing Tuesday when asked if the government will extend the current lockdown levels in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

"Mahirap na mahirap na mangyayari sa ating ekonomiya kung magla-lockdown tayo muli.  Siguro mapapabagal ang COVID--19 pero habang walang hanapbuhay eh paano naman mabubuhay ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan (The economy will be hit hard if we impose another lockdown. Maybe we can slow down COVID-19 but if there is no work, how can the ordinary people live)," he said.

The local economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020, which is considered the country’s first economic contraction since 1998.  The government earlier admitted it expects the economy will shrink further in the second quarter but hopes for an eventual "V-shaped" recovery with the help of infrastructure program and prudent fiscal and monetary policies.

From the general community quarantine level, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal have been placed on modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) upon the request of the medical community for a timeout from the rapid surge of infections. The health frontliners earlier cautioned about the possible collapse of the healthcare system from rapid cases without stricter containment measures.

The latest MECQ level, that includes staying indoors except for essential activities and ban on public transportation and certain mass gatherings, will take effect until August 18.

Roque admitted that the  two-week MECQ period will have a negative impact on the economy.  He noted that about 67 percent of the local economy is based in Metro Manila and nearby provinces that were placed under stringent community quarantine.

Nonetheless, Roque said the MECQ period will give a breather to the health frontliners as well as allow the government to "regroup" and intensify its strategy against the coronavirus outbreak.

He said the government will intensify testing, tracing and treatment efforts during the two-week period. He noted that  pooled coronavirus testing will be implemented to screen more people with the illness. More isolation facilities will also be established to help with the treatment of the coronavirus patients. 

While the government is focused on the intensified 3T (testing, tracing and treatment) strategy, Roque also appealed anew to the public to observe the health measures to avoid getting infected.

"Ang mensahe sa taumbahan kinakailangan ingatan ang kalusuga para tayo makapaghanapbuhay (Our message to the people is let's take care of our health so we can work)," he said.

He said the nation must learn to live with the coronavirus especially since the global health authorities recognized that the health problem would stay for a long time.